They were not because in a layoff you cannot prefer a specific protected category like race, gender, age AND nationality.

The 9000 number is also a global number which includes layoffs in countries all over the world.

The argument “9000 US workers were fired and X visa applications were applied for” is also very reductive. The layoffs were in gaming, sales and other divisions, meanwhile the visa applications were for people who either already are on visas in other divisions like engineering and are continuing their status or for people in newer positions that have nothing to do with sales or gaming.